Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
Word History is a weekly 15 minute etymology podcast by Etymoleon, dedicated to uncovering the history behind words and names. Each episode unveils the journey of words and their connections to various languages such as Old English, Ancient Greek, Latin, Old French, Proto-Germanic and many more. Episodes also highlight historical events related to the topic and terms explored.
New episodes every Sunday.
If you like etymology try Derivety, a daily word game by Etymoleon. Can you guess the word from the meaning of its origin? Play now at https://derivety.com.
Get in touch with Etymoleon at https://etymoleon.com.
Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.
68. Christmas Gifts
This time, we're unwrapping etymology through the history of Christmas gifting. The word gift in both English and German comes from the same root, though in German it evolved to mean poison. Must-have toys often cause a frenzy, like Teletubbies and Tickle Me Elmo, with the word frenzy tracing back to an ancient Greek word that also gave us frenetic and schizophrenia. Chocolate advent calendars only became popular in the 1990s; the term advent derives from a Latin term meaning to come. Listen for the history of holiday gifting and the legend behind stockings by the fireplace. This podcast returns in January 2025.